Seismic exploration system



Feb. 26, 19%. H. HOOVER, JR

SEISMIC EXPLORATION SYSTEM Filed July 24, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l WEATHERED LAYER R. TR mw 0 w m E 5 R w w B A TTORNEYS.

46. H. HOOVER, JR

SEISMIC EXPLORATION SYSTEM Filed July 24, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

m n c n .IIIIIIIIL HERBERT HOOVER, JR.

ATTORN Feb, 2%, 194. HOOVER, JR 2,395,481

SEISMIC EXPLORATION SYSTEM Filed July 24, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 z A A INPUT j g A I I I I I l I I I IN VEN TOR. HERBERT. HOOVER, JR.

" LL? zz msys Patented Feh. 2d,, lddfi &

by memo assignments, to United Geo=.

physical Company, Pasadena, Calif a corporation oi (Jalifornia Application July 24, 1939, Serial No. 286,171

2 Elalms.

My invention relates to geophysical prospecting, and more particularly to circuits which control the sensitivity of seismic recording apparatus. My invention is applicable, as well, to any other signalling system in which a train of waves of varying intensity is received, and is especially applicable to systemsutilizing wave-trains with sudden beginnings.

Among the objects of my invention are: to provide a method and means for varying the sensitivity of seismic recording apparatus during recording; to provide a; method and means for providing intermediate sensitivity in recording the beginning of a wave train; to provide a method and means for reducing the sensitivity in record-.

ing seismic waves shbrtly after the beginning of wave reception; to provide a method and means for increasing the sensitivity toward the end of the recording when the waves which have traveled the longest tim are received; to provide a method and means for producinc a quiet trace preceding the beginning of the wave-train; to provide a method and means for varying the sensitivity of an amplifier as a predetermined function of time; i

to provides. control unit which, once started, thereafter controls various operations in a predetermined time sequence; to provide a method and means for varying the sensitivity of a an amplifier as a predetermined function of time and to change the time function at predetermined time intervals; to provide a means for indicating the variation oi seismic wave amplifier sensitivity during recording; and to provide means for preventing cross feed between a plurality of ampliflers utilizins a common gain control unit.

My invention possesses numerous other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description oi specific apparatus embodying and utilizing my novel method. It is therefore to he understood that my method is applicable to other apparatus, and that I do not limit myseli, in any way, to the apparatus oi the present application, as I may adopt various other apparatus embodiments, utilizing the method, within the scope oi the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a schematic diagram illustrating the application of my invention toseismic prospectillustrating the application of my invention to seismic prospecting.

Fig. 3 is a graph useful in explaining the method of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a reproduction oi. as field record used in Fig. dis a wiring diagram of one embodiment oi my invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates still another embodiment of my invention.

In Fig. l I have illustrated schematically a set-up by means of which my invention may be applied to seismic prospecting. U represents a vertical cross section of the earth near its surface, and W represents the weathered layer.

In the practice of seismic geophysics, elastic waves are initiated at a source E, usually .bY the detonation of an explosive at the bottom of a shot hole H. When the waves originating at the source E, which are radiated in all directions as indicated by the lines P, encounter discontinuities in the earth they are deflected from straight paths, as by refraction or reflection. Some of the waves returning to the surface of the earth are received by receptors 81, S2, and S: which convert the received elastic waves into corresponding electrical waves. The electrical waves are amplified by amplifiers A1, A2, and m, and translated into visual form by multielement galvanometer O.

a The waves from the seismometers may be recorded as separate traces on photographic paper.

Part of a record obtained by using six recording channels in accordance with the principles of my invention is shown in Fig. 2. For convenience the traces are referred to as it to st, beginning from the bottom. Vertical timing lines are represented by t. T. B. on the second trace is the time break, which indicates the instant the wave source E is activated, and F. represents the first break for a wave-train reaching the receptor, the output of which is recorded on trace it. Said first break determines the instant of a1 rival of the initial portion of the wave-train at said receptor.

It is to he noted that the first breaks on the various traces are sharp, and easily readable. The waves immediately following the first breaks are very large, in this case, in fact, so large on some traces that they cannot be studied easily. As is readily seen from the record the first wave to arrive is generally small compared with the waves immediately following and for this reason a rapid decrease in sensitivity is necessary to provide for recording the early portions of each trace following the first arrivals while providing for the recording of a sharp first break.

As can be seen, the average amplitude of the subsequently recorded waves on the rest of the record is favorable for the identification of corre= spending" waves appearing on the various traces.

In one preferred form limits suitable forstudy.

by using as high gain as possible in my amplifiers- It is also to be noticed that the traces are quiet, or free from noise, or disturbing microseisms, preceding the first breaks.

I achieve by using intermediatesensitivity in my amplifiers during the early part, of the recording. If the gain were low the first breaks would be small and therefore not so easily identified; if the gain were high microseisms or unrest would be repro= duced at sizeable amplitude and would interfere with the recognition of first breaks.

To achieve easily readable waves shortly following the first breaks and thereafter, I reduce the amplifier sensitivity shortly after the first breaks are recorded and thereafter vary the sensitivity as a predetermined function oi time in such a manner as to compensate for the varying amplitude of the received waves.

Actually, of course, the entire recordof which Fig. 2 is a part extends to the right for a considerable length corresponding to a total record ing time of four or five seconds or more and usually contains toward the end recorded waves of very low intensity.

I prefer to increase thesensitivity continuously toward the end of the record until the amplitude of the unrest completely masks any reflected waves that may be present. In this manner I am assured of obtaining a maximum amount of in= formation from each shot. y

of my invention the first breaks may be made sharp on each trace, and the average amplitude of the following waves as recorded on each trace maintained between I obtain this result quiet traces and sharp first breaks aseaesr The control unit Chas two main sections, tiin= ing unit i and sensitivity controlling device 2.

As illustrated, the timing unit i utilizes three thyratrons l3, id, and i5, relays lb, ii, and i2,

.. explosive E, is applied to the primaries of transe- I and time delay circuits 2!? and 29. To set the timing unit l preparatory to operation, the key is is opened, thereby'stopping the currents in the plate circuits of the thyratrons l3, id, and i5 and causing the contacts of the relays iii, ill, and i2 to be closed in the left positions as shown. A push-button all normally open may be placed in the grid circuit of thyratron it for purposes hereinafter to be explained.

A signal derivedfrom some suitable energy source, such as the current which detonates the formers 26 and 28.1 A corresponding voltage appearsin the secondary of transformers it and 23 and, if the connections are polarized properly,

a positive potential is thereupon applied to the grid 8 of the thyratron it. This positive poten tial is made large enough to fire said thyratron i3. hotentiometer 2% controls the sensitivity'oi while the first refracted waves are being received,

without making the gain so high as to record earth unrest; and thereafter vary the gain of the amplifiers in accordance with the amplitude of the received waves.

' In some areas sharp first breaks may be obtained by using low gain at the beginning oi the during some portions of the recordings and small amplitudes in other portions of the recording. Usually it is not possible to compensate for the time-amplitude pattern of received seismic waves in such a simple manner. To obtain good records of waves from various depths below the surface in such a case it accordingly is necessary in make a number of records successively for each set-=up using difiering settings of the gain control device.

My invention overcomes these difiiculties by providing a method for meeting a wide variety .of conditions-by making possible the changing of the time vs. sensitivity curve at predetermined spaced time intervals during the recording.

Inl ig. 3 curve bod represents graphic n ly one.

manner in which I prefer to vary amplifier sensi: tivity during the recording. The instants at which the time break T. B. and thefirst break F. B. occur are represented by T1 and T2, respectively. Ta and To represent instants at which .the time sensitivity function is changed.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated one particular preferred arrangement of apparatus which may be operated in accordance with my'invention.

thyratron it.

At the instant current is applied to the primary 28 a corresponding signal maybe applied to a-galvanometer 21 which records the time break 5; 3,3 of Fig. 2 and occurs at the instant T1 of When the thyratron i3 is fired, the relay it opens and the condenser 22 of the timing circuit it begins to discharge through the resistance 23 at a rate depending on the time constant of the timing circuit to. At an instant'ls oi Fig. 3 the potential on the grid 5 swings in the positive direction enough to fire the thyratron l4, causing relay ll to open in the left position and close in the right position.

- When the pair of contacts ii is opened, the condenser 24 discharges through the resistance 25 at a rate depending on the time constant of the timing circuit 2 l Finally at the time T4 the bias on the grid 6 swings in the positive direction enoughto permit the thyratron it to fire, and the relay I2 is thereby caused to open in the left position and close in the right position.

A greater number of control stages than those shown may be used in the timing unit i to provide greater flexibility in the determination of the sensitivity vs. time curve. An unlimited variety of shapes of the'sensitivity curve may thus be obtained by appropriate application of my invention.

The gain controlling device 2 may comprise a triode 30, with gridBi, plate 32, and cathode 33.

value above ground potential. The potential existing across the voltmeter 35 may be applied tothe amplifier A in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art to control the sensitivity of said amplifier A. Inthe example shown the control potential across voltmeter 35 supplies voltage to screens 59, 5! of vacuum tubes within amplifier A;

Since the current through voltmeter B5isdetermined by the bias on grid 3 i, said bias accordingly determines the sensitivity of the ampliher A.

To vary thebias of grid 3 of the triode 30.1

- contects ti, t2, and it on the use a battery til across which are conn potentiometers M, s2, and it. For convenience the potentials between the cathode t8 and the sliding contacts ti, 82, and it may be referred to as the first, second, and third biases, respectively. When the control unit (3 has been set in a. "ready condition by opening the key it tem-' porsrily, as hereinahoveexplained the relays it and it are closed in the left position as shown in Fig. 4. In the ready" conditions, therefore, the grid 33' is connected to the potentiometer ti through contacts in the relays ii and it. The first bias is therefore the initial hiss.

Now consider e, typical sequence of operations which may occur during the recording of a, train of seismic waves. Assume that the first, second, and. third biases, hereinebove referred to, are respectively, of intermediate, high, and low values, as indicated by the positions of the respective potentiomcters t i or, and Q23.

If on explosive is detonated ct E ate time T1 the timing unit 1! is actuated, the first break F. B.

.is recorded at time T2 while the sensitivity is a.

steady intermediste value indicated by section b of the solid curve in Fig. 3. At time Ti, shortly after recording the first break, relay it opens in the left position and closes in the right position. Current from hettery so hepinsto flow through resistor til churning condenser it, therehy increesins the hiss on grid ti and decreasing the sensitivity or amplifier A as e, iuncticn of time such as clone section oi the solid curve in the. 3.

At time T4 reloy it opens in the left position and closes in the right position. Condenser ct discharges through resistor 5t end it, end the sensitivity'ci' amplifier A increases clone e. curve such. he cl of Fig. 3. The values of resistances it and lit and condenser it may be adjusted to very the shape of the sensitivity curve of Fig. 3.

In practice I generally metre condenser tl large to prevent sharp pulses from being sudcienly applied to screens of tubes 52 and ti. @ondenser 37 also serves to decouple a. plurality of amplifiers using c common control circuit and thereby prevents crossi'eed. Screen grid con densers it end ll in various amplifiers using e common control circuit also old in isolating the amplifiers iron: each other.

By means oi other relays operated in the menner hereinehove explained, further changes in the amplifier sensitivity as e. predetermined function oi time may he mode at later times such as To and Ta.

In the term of my invention illustrated in Fig.

1-, the sensitivity oi all amplifiers is governed by a common control unit and the operation of said control unit is initiated simultaneously with the detonation of an explosive at E. But other forms of my invention may be adopted.

For instance, the operator of the seismic wave recording apparatus may initiate the operation of the control unit C manually by closing push-hutton Ml at the proper time. By watching the gslvanometer spots through a window in oscillosreph 0, he may observe the arrival of the first waves and. close push-button t'i immediately thereafter. In some cases he may close pushbutton M shortly after closing firing key K by properly timing the operation.

Another form of my invention is illustrated in Fig. 5. This represents a modification oi the circuit of Fig. 4 and only so much of the circuit is she as necessary to explain the operation and indicate the erences between Figs. 4 end 5.

- In Fig. 5 the output of amplifier A is applied to a. vacuum tube it through transformer 28, and a. sticking relay It is used in the plate circuit of "sold tube it.

When the first waves arrive at the receptor connected to the input of amplifier A, corresponding electrical waves appear in the output of said amplifier. Part 01 said output is applied to r e recording galvauometer G and pert is applied to tube l3, causing said tube to close relay it. When relay it is closed condenser 23 in timing circuit is discharges and relays ii and it are closed in turn as hereinsbove explained. In the case of Fig. 5, however, the extra pair of contacts cc are closed and the potential of battery it is applied to the coil of relay it to hold it closed during the remaining time while control unit 0 varies the sensitivity oi amplifier A.

Fig. c is a schematic diagram of the method of Fig, 5 on I epply it to e. plurolity oi amplifier channels separately. Here receptors 81, S2, end S: are connected to their respective crnpliriers A1, A2, end A: end their respective recorders 01, 0:, and Di. Amplifiers A1, A2, and A: ere eech controlled by separate units C1, C2, and Ca in the manner described in connection with Fig. 5. When separate control units are applied to each recording channel I prefer to use ordinary vacuum tubes at it, it, and it to cut down on the filament drain required and to provide e, high grhpeclsnce across the secondary oi transformer Initiation of the sensitivity control operation by the first waves to arrive at the respective receptors facilitates obtaining sharp first breaks on such trace even though the receptors he spaced several hundreds or thousands of feet apart and. the amplifiers end recorders are established at the respective receiver stations.

Thus it is seen that I may initiate the operation of the sensitivity control unit manually, or onto-- rnoticelly by the first arrivals or by energy derived directly from the wove source, end I may apply such control to all amplifier units sepsretely or jointly.

From the foregoing description it is clear that I have provided a method for obtaining sharp first breaks in translating seismic wove-trains and at the some time have supplied a method for controlling the sensitivity of the receiving apparatus in a. manner which compensates for variations of the amplitudes of waves following the first breaks.

I claim:

1. In seismic prospecting, the improvement which comprises 'thesteps of receiving e train of seismic waves, converting the received seismic waves into corresponding electrical waves, amplifying the electrical waves, utilizing a predetermined emplificetion factor for the initial portion of the electrical wave train, shortly thereafter reducing the amplification factor of the electrical waves to a value which is low relative to said predetermined amplificetion factor, end then increasing the amplification factor or the electrical waves as a function of the time elapsed from a predetermined instant independently of the amplitude of the received waves, ultimately increasing the amplification factor toward the end of the wave train reception to a. higher value than that utilized in amplifying the initial portion of the wave train, and recording the amplified electrical waves.

2. In seismic prospecting, the improvement which comprises the steps of receiving a. train of seismic waves, converting the received seismic the electrical tying the electrical wave'e, utilizinge predeterned amplification factor for the first portion of ducing the plification facto ot the electrical waves toe value which is low relative to said pre detezminecl amplification factor, and then increing the plific'etion factor of the electrical wave train, shortly thereafter te eggsemeee waives into eotrespondimgelectrical waves. empll= v We les a. function oi the time ,psed from a predetermined instant ultimately icfeeemgthv emellflcetion sector toward the end of the wave train r'eeepulcn to a higher value than the amplification factor utilized in connection with the initial portion of the wave train, and, recording the amplified electrical waves.

1 My; 1, m1 H00 r 

